Membranous Nephropathy after Subcutaneous Mercury Injection

Subcutaneous elemental mercury injection is typically not associated with systemic toxicity. This case report describes a man who developed persistent membranous nephropathy temporally associated with intentional subcutaneous elemental mercury injection.

A 21-year-old man injected elemental mercury into his left forearm after experiencing worsening depression during the COVID-19 pandemic. Several months later, he sought dermatology evaluation due to nodularity at the injection site. He underwent attempted excision of what was presumed to be a left forearm lipoma, but he did not report the history of mercury injection. He subsequently developed proteinuria and was diagnosed with membranous nephropathy. Treatment with rituximab did not improve his condition, and he eventually divulged the history of mercury injection three years after the initial exposure. He underwent surgical excision of the mercury deposits, left forearm flap reconstruction, and chelation with oral succimer. Despite these interventions, his proteinuria and urine protein to creatinine ratio remained persistently elevated, consistent with ongoing membranous nephropathy.

Renal pathology is associated with mercury toxicity after dermal or inhalational exposure but is rarely reported to occur after subcutaneous injection of elemental mercury. The pathophysiology of mercury-induced membranous nephropathy may involve formation of autoantibodies and cytokines after direct renal tubular injury. Surgical excision is the primary treatment for subcutaneous mercury exposure. Chelation may be considered for patients with evidence of systemic toxicity or ongoing mercury exposure, although the optimal timing of perioperative chelation has not been defined.

Significant systemic toxicity, including membranous nephropathy, may occur after subcutaneous mercury injection.